UAE seeks to mend ties with S. Korea after failed jet deal

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, April 10 (Yonhap) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has proposed a regular
high-level policy consultation meeting with South Korea, officials here said
Friday, amid speculation that the two nations' relations have been marred by
South Korea's failed bid to export its advanced jets to the UAE.
"We are positively reviewing the UAE's proposal. The first session may be held in
Abu Dhabi later this month," a foreign ministry official said.
If the meeting is held, the UAE will be the second Middle Eastern nation to open
such a regular high-level policy consultation channel with South Korea following
Egypt, he added. The meeting is dedicated to discussing political and diplomatic
affairs.
Political ties between the two sides have been relatively lackluster despite
their rapidly growing economic partnerships.
Some observers questioned their bilateral ties when the UAE chose Italy's M-346
over South Korea's T-50 Golden Eagle in February as winning bidder for its
multi-billion-dollar project to introduce next-generation military trainer jets.
The decision, which the UAE said was based strictly on a business perspective,
dashed South Korea's hopes for the first export of its new trainer jet. South
Korea has been pitching to sell the plane, each priced at 23 billion won (US$18
million), since 2005.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)